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What One Should Understand Regarding Triathlon Training

By Scott Bailey


In triathlon, competitors complete multiple-stage competitions in a continuous and consecutive manner. It is an endurance sport testing how fast one can move while enduring the hardship involved in the races. Running, biking, and swimming are the three activities that make up the competition. Time spent while transitioning from one activity to another is also counted towards the final time taken. The root of the term is in the Greek language. When the term is translated to English, it means three sports which is a consistent definition with the sport.

A transition area is usually established to allow triathletes to change their gear for the various segments of the race. It is in the transition area that triathletes switch from swimming to cycling and cycling to running. This area acts as a storage or holding area for accessories such as performance apparel and bicycles, which triathletes need to complete the next phase of the competition. To be better equipped to handle the race, triathlon training is usually endurance-oriented.

The first transition entails moving to biking from swimming and it labeled T1. The second transition, which is labeled T2 involves transitioning to running from biking. Athletes spend some time in transition and it is added to their final time. The number of participants is a huge variable, so the size of transitions areas also varies a lot. Transition areas serve as social headquarters before the beginning of races.

Triathlon has its origin in the 1920s. However, the modern version of the sport was first held in San Diego, California. The event involved swimming, biking, and running and occurred on the 25th or September, 1974. Don Shanahan and Jack Johnstone are usually given the credit for conceiving and directing the event. The two individuals were both members of the Track Club of San Diego.

In 1989, a worldwide regulatory body was founded to take on the government of the sport. The body is named as the International Triathlon Union, abbreviated as ITU. Its goal has changed from what it was at the beginning. Initially, the goal was to make triathlon an Olympic game and that was achieved. Competition levels in this sport are three, that is, junior pro-athletes, age-group athletes, and elite pro-triathletes.

Participants must register and sign up for any event they intend to participate in days before the event happens. Those who register are given race numbers, timing bands, and colored swim caps. Timing bands are only used if the race is to be timed electronically. Participants usually have information regarding the course, applicable rules, and possible problems they need to be on the lookout for communicated to them way in advance.

In major events, it may be a requirement for athletes to have their bikes checked-in at the transition areas in advance. Security is maintained in the transition area after bikes have been checked-in. Several different techniques have been devised for starting races. One of the methods is mass starts where competitors start competing at the same time when the start signal is given.

Wave start events involve athletes starting the competition in small groups. After every few minutes, a wave of athletes is give a start signal. Wave starts are more common in short races than in long ones.




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